Escalante River Primitive Area Provides New Thrills Thompson, it was named after Father Silvestre Veley de Escalante. visitor to the area of the irreplaceable historical and scientific value of the archeological sites. Further, the Antiquites Act of 1906 prohibits disturbing or defacing historical or archeological sites. The Escalante River, according to BLM information, was the last river in the 48 states to be discovered and named. Discoverd in 1872 by A. H. ESCALANTE Crisp, cool mornings and evenings and warm sunny days complement the spectacular spec-tacular scenery of the serious backpacker back-packer or the casual hiker roaming the Escalante River Outstanding Natural Area. The prime hiking season starts in late March and continues through early June when the most favorable weather and temperature conditions prevail. The rugged canyon varies up to 300 feet wide in places while the usually slow and shallow river averages about 30 feet wide. Generally only one to two feet deep, in places it will accomodate canoes or kayaks, but occasionally, esp cially at the lower end of the river where there is no access by road, they must be packed. Depth of the river varies considerably con-siderably in the early spring with greater depths occurring on warm days when the snow runoff in the river is greatest. Many get to the Escalante River near the intersection of Utah High-, way 12 and Calf Creek. Permits, available at the Bureau of Land Management office in Escalante, are required for canyon hiking the Phipps-Death Hollow, North Escalante Canyons and the Gulch Outstanding Natural Areas. The area is only for those in good physical condition and with proper equiynent. The striking beauty and peaceful far-away-from-it all feeling what the hiker receives are well worth the special preparation and extra effort it takes to hike a primitive area. Some deep water occurs at the lower end of the river, especially in the Narrows above Coyote Gulch. The river must be crossed many times, so canvas shoes or boots are recommended. Quicksand is not uncommon, but is not dangerous. Flash floods do make hiking hazardous from July through mid-September. mid-September. Hiking from mid-September mid-September through mid-October is usually good. Good campsites are common and the BLM says fires should be built only with dead, downed wood and only in previously used locations. Backpacking stoves shoud be used when possible. Springs are fairly common, but all drinking water should be sterilized. It is advised that good deserrt hygiene and ecology be used, including in-cluding the burning of all human waste. All trash should be burned, including toilet tissue. Unburnable trash should be packed out. Access by foot to the Escalante River is available at several locations with most found downstream down-stream from where Utah Highway 1 crosses the River, down Harris Wash, upstream from Lake Powell or down any one of the three access routes to Coyote Gulch. Vehicles are restricted to existing roads and prohibited down Harris Wash, Coyote Gulch and Hurricane Wash below the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area boundary. Maps are available through the BLM and the U.S. Geological Survey. Sur-vey. The area was first inhabited by Anasazi Indians some 700 years ago. They grew crops of corn, beans and squash which were stored in small rock structures built in the canyon walls. Evidence of their habitation abounds throughout the Escalante ;. River Canyon and BLM reminds the